Belt plating apparatus

ABSTRACT

A novel dual head belt plater has been disclosed which can plate continuously selected portions of a stamped strip forming an electrical connector component blank or a blank as a part of a connector. Another embodiment of the novel belt plater allows continuous plating with one or more metals a continuous strip on a different metal whereby an electrodeposit of a certain or varying width is obtained. In a further embodiment, a machine accomplishes plating in a substantially continuous manner by moving continuously a workpiece over a periphery of a drum carrying an anode covered with a belt.

May 9 1972 H. M. CAPPER ETAL 3,661,752

BELT PLATING APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1970 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 9, 1972H, M. CAPPER ETAL 3,661,752

BELT PLATING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1970 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. M. CAPPERET Al..

BELT PLATING APPARATUS F'iled June 23 1970 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 f e L wwwwww .L

el fr Y May 9, 1972 H. M. CAPPER ETAL 3,661,752

BELT PLATING APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1970 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 9, 1972M. CAPPER ETA'. 3,661,752

BELT PLATING APPARATUS Filed June 23 1970 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,ISI l May 9,1972 F'iled June 23 1970 H. M. CAPPER ETA'- BELT PLATING APPARATUS 8Sheets-Sheet 6 May 9, 1972 H. M. cAPPER ETA'- 3,661,752

BELT PLATING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 23, 1970 May 9, 1972H. M. CAPPER ETA'- BELT PLATING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June23, 1970 United States Patent O 3,661,752 BELT PLATING APPARATUS HarryMilton Capper, Harrisburg, Harold Oakley Woolley,

Jr., Hershey, Clifton Eugene Lemons, Hummelstown,

and Richard Maxwell Wagner, Harrisburg, Pa., as-

sgnors to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

Filed June 23, 1970, Ser. No. 49,089 Int. Cl. C23b 5/ 68 U.S. Cl.204-206 16 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A novel dual head beltplater has been disclosed which can plate continuously selected portionsof a stamped strip forming an electrical connector component blank or ablank as a part of a connector. Another embodiment of the novel beltplater allows continuous plating with one or more metals a continuousstrip on a different metal whereby an electrodeposit of a certain orvarying width is obtained. |In a further embodiment, a machineaccomplishes plating in a substantially continuous manner by movingcontinuously a workpiece over a periphery of a drum carrying an anodecovered with a belt.

This invention relates to belt plating apparatuses for plating of metalparts which may be used for forming electrical connectors; morespecifically, this invention relates to machines plating a continuousstrip of a metal strip from which electrical connectors are formed orfor plating partially formed electrical connections still joined in astrip as well as a method for plating various types of metal strips orstrips from which electrical connectors may be, thereafter, stamped orotherwise formed.

In a previous application entitled Belt Plating Apparatus, Method ofBelt Plating and Novel Electrodeposits, Ser. No. 833,279 tiled June 16,19619 and now abandoned there ha's been disclosed a method for plating,by means of a belt plater, a strip of metal which thereafter may be usedfor stamping various electrical connectors therefrom. In general, thismethod provides the plating of metal parts by running a belt carrying anelectrolyte in a direction of travel of the workpiece or against thedirection of travel of the workpiece but in a machine direction. Thebelt travels at a rate different from that of the workpiece, depositingspecific types of electrodeposits on the metal strip which metal stripmay be used subsequently to form the necessary electrical connectorstherefrom. However, it has been found that if a connector is partiallyformed from the metal strip and discontinuous areas need to be plated onthese strip or certain areas need to be plated with sequentiallydifferent layers, the method disclosed in fthe above-identitiedapplication cannot be used; also it cannot be used only on a partiallyformed strip of electrical connectors.

Consequently, the present invention represents a further development inthe art of plating by means of electrolyte carrier belts, certainelectrical connectors in novel apparatuses and using novel methodswhereby continuous plating may be achieved at rates heretoforeunobtainable in normal still baths or basket plating operations at aconcomitant saving in the electrodeposited metal and in a manner wherebya continuous strip may be fed and discontinuous areas may be plated.

Furthermore, the present invention also allows for the plating of acontinuous strip of a preformed material with electrodeposits of same ordifferent metals either adjacent to each other or on top of each otherand whereby the electrodeposits on certain metal strips may be made by abelt moving in a cross-direction to the travel of these Patented May 9,1972 "ice continuous metal strips. Additionally, the same or a differentmetal may be plated at one location on the workpiece, or overlappinglyat two, or at adjacent locations on the workpiece. Thus, a considerableimprovement in the metal plating efficiency may be provided by utilizingthe novel multiple head belt plating devices further described herein.

In reference to the drawings herein, which illustrate the disclosedmachines and in which identical parts are labeled by the same numeralsand wherein:

ZFIG. 1, illustrates a dual head plating apparatus which plates a stripof a metal;

FIG. 2, illustrates in a top view along line 2 2 of FIG. 1, a driveroller or a pulley and a squeeze roller to control the amount ofelectrolyte in a belt;

FIG. 3, illustrates in a cross-sectional view along lines 3 3 of FIG. 1the drive roller and squeeze roller and a means for adjusting thepressure against the belt by the squeeze roller;

FIG. 4, illustrates in partial cross-section along line 4 4 of FIG. 1, ameans for adjusting the tension on the belt;

FIG. 5illustrates in a cross-sectional view along line 5 5 of FIG. 1, lacathode section of said belt plater;

FIG. 6, illustrates in a partial cross-sectional and top view along line6 6 of FIG. 5, a means for adjusting the position of a cathode section;

FIG. 7, illustrates a side-view of the anode body of belt plater;

FIG. 8, illustrates a longitudinal and cross-sectional view of the anodebody along line 8 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9, illustrates in a cross-sectional view along lines 9 9 of FIG. 8,the anode body;

FIG. 10, illustrates a top View, along lines 10 10 of -FIG. l, of aworkpiece feed means for the machine;

FIG. 11, illustrates in a plane view, along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, theworkpiece feed means used in the apparatus of FIG. l;

FIG. l2, shows a cross-sectional view of the workpiece feed means alongline 12--12 of FIG. 10 including additional details as the ta'ke-up reeland `air locks used with l the plating apparatus shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 13, illustrates, in perspective, another embodiment of a dual heador dual belt plater;

FIG. 14, illustrates, in a perspective, the anode section of a dual heador dual belt plater;

FIG. l5, illustrates, in perspective, a plating apparatus in a form of adrum; and

FIG. 16. illustrates, in a cross-sectional view along lines 16-16 ofFIG. 15, the anode and cathode section of the plating apparatus shown inFIG. 15.

Referring to the drawings herein, FIG. 13 discloses a dual head reed andstrip plater which plates a workpiece 10 from which subsequently aconnector is made in a manner ywell known in the electrical connectorart. The apparatus shown in FIG. 13 rests on a table (not shown) and hasa base plate 13 to which are attached three or four side plates 12,three of which are shown in FIG. 13. These plates generally form anintegral box-like structure which may be provided with a cover 11 in theevent the space contained by the walls is kept enclosed such as forpreventing oxidation or for containing the liquids as shown in tanks 31and 32. For convenience of observation, the plates may be made ofpolyacrylates such as Lucite or Plexiglas. Electrolyte tanks 14 areaffixed to the side walls 12 of the machine and since there are twoplating stations provided, these will be the same for each. Thus, theelectrolyte tanks 14 contain the electrolyte which is agitated or pumpedthrough the tank by means of pump 17 which circulates and/or introducesthe electrolyte 16 and pumps it through a perforated mandrel 30 rotatingin tank 14. The mandrel 30 is provided with shims 33.

As the motor 18 drives shaft 29 on which is mounted the belt drivingpulleys 27, the belt 21 is immersed into the electrolyte 16. Thereafter,the amount of electrolyte in belt 21 is controlled by squeeze rollers 24rotating on shafts 52 and adjusted appropriately by urging one movableroller such as the upper one shown inFIG. 13 against the lower one, toprovide the correct amount of electrolyte in belt 21.

Thereafter, the belt 21 is pulled into the anode section V22 furthershown in FIG. 14. The belt, as it is pulled across the anode 44, isbeing urged against the workpiece 10, for deposit on the workpiece 10,the metal in the electrolyte. The workpiece is made cathodic by anappropriate circuit connection (not shown).

A solenoid 26 appropriately interconnected with a work indexing meansvia a conventional control circuit (not shown) retracts the spring 47loaded anode block 42 away from the workpiece 10 while the workpiece isbeing indexed to the next position. The solenoid 26 illustrated in F-IG.13 is mounted on a bracket 40 affixed to the side plate 12. The solenoidrod 41 is connected to a plate 43 which plate in turn is engaged to pins49 to block 42 and thus confines the spring 47 therebetween by which thepressure of the anode is adjusted in respect to the belt and theworkpiece. An appropriate internal travel may be provided for thesolenoid rod 41 to control the proper disengagement while the workpieceis being indexed.

The workpiece .10 is mounted in a Lucite support block 50 while it isbeing plated. Block 50 has apertures therein for receiving the stock andIgenerally confining the Workpiece therein at the same time allowing foreasy advancement. Block 50 is aixed to side plate 12.

The anode strip conforms to the area approximately plated on theworkpiece at the place of engagement with the workpiece 10. The anodestrip 44 is connected to a lead wire 46.

The workpiece is being indexed by means of index arm 34 which ismechanically driven or reciprocated (the driving means are not shown).The arm 34 has an index arm solenoid 36 mounted thereon which engagesone of the index jaw plates 37 as pivoted by index arm jaw plate guide39. t Before the workpiece 10 enters into a belt plater section, it goesthrough two tanks 31 and 32. Tank 32, for convenience, is aixedto theedges of the plate 12. Tank 31, i.e. the outer one, is an overllow tan'kand the inner one 32 contains an appropriate wash solution.

Further, both tanks 31 and 32 may be operated in such a manner thatdifferent types of liquids may be contained in the outer tank 31 andinner tank 32 and the solution levels in the outer tank 31 and the innertank 32 positioned as desired. It is well that the workpiece passesthrough the wall 12 above the liquid level in tank 31.

A control panel has also been provided which is showing the variousswitches activating the means such as the electrolyte pumps 17, themotor 18, or the solenoid 26, should only one electrolyte bel-t be usedin plating.

A temperature sensing and control means 15 is also provided for each ofthe electrolyte tanks 14.

As can be envisioned, instead of the mechanically driven stock indexingarm 34 such as shown in FIG. 13, there can be 'employed feed meanssimilar to that shown in FIG. 1 for feeding the workpiece .10 in theevent it is merely a strip and in the event the anode section is platingin a cross direction a continuous or a discontinuous and discrete areaon the metal. In the later event, the feed means are operateddiscontinuously.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. l, a dual head or two beltplater has been shown. Briefly, it consists of a stand 60 above thelower level 61 of which are two electrolyte tanks 62. In these tanksbelts 64 are immersed. Motor 66 is driving these belts via chain 129,shaft 126, by means of a drum roller or pulley 124 in unison. Individualmotors (not shown) may be provided 4 for each of the belts 64 to driveVthe same at different rates to deposit at varying rates the same ordifferent metals.

An electrolyte pump (not shown) may be provided which agitates theelectrolyte and/or replenishes the electrolyte. Squeeze rollers 134control the amount of electrolyte in belts 64.

A control panel 69 contains the various control elements such asvariable speed adjusters, drive adjusters, switches, etc.

The workpiece 10 is fed, i.e. pulled through the machine by means of theworkpiece drive means 70, whereby the workpiece is wound on a take-upreel 71. The workpiece 10 as it emerges from a previous wash section(such as shown in respect to tanks-.31 and 32 in FIG. 13) proceedsthrough an air lock (such as 72 used in connection with wash tank 68 andnal wash tank 73) to prevent the wash solution from entering with theworkpiece or being carried into the plating section.

As the workpiece 10 approaches the cathode section 75, it enters belowthe cathode bracket 76. Positioned below the workpiece is an anodesection 99. The belts 64 travel crosswise to the workpiece 10 and areurged in an appropriately selected and adjusted contact by means furtherexplained herein. After the workpiece 10 emerges from the rst beltplating section it enters into wash tank 68 provided with appropriateair locks 72, i.e. small air chambers into which air is pumped at apressure suicient to prevent the escape of the wash solution from thetank into the electrolyte. At the same time, air locks provide someagitation to the wash solution so that the wash water effectively scrubsany remaining residual irnpurities deposited on the workpiece in thefirst plating section.

As the workpiece emerges from tank 68, it enters into a second beltplating section which is identical for all practical purposes to the rstexcept that one is a left hand and the other is a right hand unit. Fromthis work section, the workpiece enters into a inal wash tank 73 whichagain scours the remaining electrolyte from the workpiece in order toprevent the electrolytes corroding the workpiece after the electricalparts have been stamped from vthe workpiece. The feed section has beenbriefly described above and will be described in great detail.

Returning now to the cathode bracket 76, shown in FIG. 5, it consists ofa vertical cathode height adjustment frame 81 to which is atlixed ahorizontal plate 83 under which is mounted a cathode width adjustmentframe 78. On the other side of plate 83 is a permanently affixed frame82 having a securement bolt(s) 82a therefor. A11 adjustment bolt 77projecting into plate 83 allows adjustment of the cathode frame 78 bymeans of an appropriate threaded aperture 77a in plate 83. Bolt 77 urgesinwardly and outwardly the cathode width adjusting section 78 and islocked in place by lock bolt 79. The cathode element 78a is connected toa current source by means of a wire (not shown) leading to the cathodeelement 78a which is mounted on plate 83 shown in the FIG. 5 as a narrowstrip of metal. The cathode element may also be the two narrow strips81a shown in FIG. 5.

The cathode bracket 76 is positioned above the anode by means of theknob 84 on top of plate 85 which urges a slide plate 86 having aprotruding rail as shown in FIG. 6, 86a to slide vertically in a guideslot 87 when adjusted by knob 84 and also guided by a cathode bracketguide bolt 88. A spring 89 on bolt 88 provides suflicient adjustment forvariation in workpiece irregularities as well as rigidity to the cathodebracket 76. The cathode section 75 in turn has been mounted on the tank68 via plate 90, this plate containing the T-shaped slide slot 87 orguide slot.

Referring now to the anode section 99, it is illustrated in greaterdetail in FIGS. 7 to 9 and it consists of a positionable head having asa convenient illustration four positions shown in FIG. 9. Thepositionable head 100 is mounted on a shaft 101 which holds the anodehead 100 stationary. Shaft 101 allows longitudinal movement of the anodehead 100 when the head is disengaged by removing lock nut 102 on lockbolt 102a and anode end plate 107 and sliding anode head 100 on shaft101 to disengage pin 106 located in one of the four apertures 106a.Anode and plate 107 may also be provided with a pin 106 andcorresponding apertures 106a provided on the other end of anode body100. Thus, when turning the anode head 100 for positioning by engagementof pin 106 with an aperture 106a corresponding to another anode strip111 which may be of different width, an electrodeposit of differentwidth may be obtained.

Various anode segments 104 are provided with an anode strip 111 ofvarious widths and the anode head 101 is positioned at the beginning ofeach plating run.

In order to provide precise electrodeposits on the workpiece at anappropriate plate or width, the anode head 100, in relationship to thecathode section 75, is adjusted in cross-direction in respect to thecathode bracket 76 and hence, the workpiece 10. That is, anode head 100is positioned by means of positioning bolt 109 which engages the shaft101 as well as the shaft anchor block 101a. Bolt 109 is locked in placeby lock bolt 109a and prevents the movement or shaft anchor block 101ain relationship to the cathode. Shaft anchor block 101a is adjusted byappropriately turning bolt 109 which bolt is anchored by bracket 105attached such as to the wall of tank 68.

A rail 103, attached to the wall of tank 68 having a correspondinggroove 103a in anchor block 101a allows the sliding of shaft anchorblock 10111 in respect to the cathode bracket 76. For convenience, thecathode bracket 76 has been mounted in a stationary position.

On the outer end of the anode head 100 the end plate 107 has beenprovided 'also to guide the electrolyte belt 64. Further, the end plate107 may be connected through au anode wire lead plate 120 which containsan anode contact lead wire 117 which comes in engagement Whenever ananode head is positioned in respect to one of the anode strips 111. Theanode strips are mounted on the anode segments 104 in lanode head slots112 by means of a bolt 114. Each slot is provided with a bolt 11-4 aswell as two anode head springs 115 used for exerting a certainpredetermined pressure upon the workpiece when the anode segment 104 isadjusted by bolt 11'4 to protrude above the anode head body 100. Theanode strip 111 is in turn positioned at the apex of the anode segment104 and the strip contact 117 as previously indicated connects to theanode wire lead 119.

'In reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the belt 64 is driven by rollers 124having on the outside one or two guide shims 125. These rollers aremounted on shaft 126 and driven by motor 66 via chain 129. For sake ofconvenience, belts 64 are driven by a common motor but individual motorsmay be used.

An adjustment plate 130 to which the shaft 126 has been aixed by bracket128 carried the motor 66 on the top thereof; a plate 130 can be movedupwardly and downwardly to exert the proper tension of the belts 64 bymoving the same on the guide rods 131. For proper leveling of plate 130,four guide rods 131 have been provided which are axed to bottom level 61and top level 61a of the machine frame 60. These guide rods 131 carryupper and lower collars 132 positioned, respectively, above and belowthe plate 130 and these are adjusted as indicated in FIG. 4.

A squeeze roller 134 which, for convenience, engages the belt betweenthe sbims 125 is provided with means for adjusting the pressure via thepressure plate 135 which also carries the squeeze roller shaft 133. Thepressure by the squeeze roller 134 on rollers 124, i.e. the movement ofshaft 133a is adjusted via the bolt 137 'after the bolts 138 whichsecure the plate 135, as well as the top plate 135:1, have beenloosened.

A scissors jack 141 which is shown in FIG. 1 adjusted by knob 142 placesthe electrolyte tanks 62 in a proper position 'by urging upwardly ordownwardly the electrolyte tank holding plate 143 and provides therebyfor proper immersion of the electrolyte carrying belt 64. Theelectrolyte is designated 62a.

A hose 145 is provided for supplying the tank 62 with a freshelectrolyte; hose 145 may also be used to remove any fumes which may beformed in the electrolyte tanks 62.

After the workpiece has been plated in the first and second platingsection, as shown in FIG. l, it proceeds to a wash tank 73 having twoair locks 72. The air locks are provided with air introduction ports 148which are connected to shop air (not shown) under suitable pressure andwhich prevents the wash solution in tank 73 from escaping with theworkpiece.

The feed section suitable for the herein disclosed apparatuses isillustrated in great detail in FIGS. 1 and l0 to 12. In FIG. 10, a topview of the feed section, shows workpiece pulled by motor 152 whichdrives the feed rollers 151 on shaft 151a which shaft also contains oneof the beveled gears 152a the other being driven by the motor 152.

At the extension of shaft 151a is a sprocket gear 159 having a chaintrained around the same and leading to a take-up reel 71 which has acorrespondingly sized take-up sprocket gear 71a mounted on shaft 71b.

The rollers 151 and 150 are made of an elastomeric material and may alsobe provided with a groove therein (not shown) to accommodate theworkpiece 10.

In order to exert sufficient force on the workpiece 10 as it is beingpulled through the apparatus, the upper feed roller 151 can be adjustedby screws 157 urging downwardly plate 156 and compressing springs 158,mounted on each of the positioning bolts 158a.

In reference to the take-up reel 71, sufficient slack is provided in thechain 1160 to allow the removal of the reel 71 from its shaft 71b as thechain operates properly with this slackness in it and the chain is ofconsiderable length.

In reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, a drum plater has been disclosedtherein which again plates a continuous workpiece such as 10 which maybe a reed connector strip wherein the reed connector blanks are joinedto each other, or a workpiece which has discontinuous sections. Thus,herein the reed connector blanks are joined to each other, the workpieceis moved in a machine direction through the apparatus as a particularsection of a number of Workpieces is being plated. The tank within whichthe apparatus has been contained has been identified as 171 and it restson a suitable support platform 173; the main tank 171 contains within itan inner tank 196 in which is conned an electrolyte 197. The actualplating is accomplished by drum 174 being syncronously rotated at a ratewhich corresponds to the workpiece travel rate as the workpiece 10 isbeing moved through the apparatus. As the anode and the belt, furtherdescribed below, are wound spirally on the drum 174, the rate ofrotation of the drum and the rate of travel of workpiece allow aconvenient means for controlling the rate of plating, which incidentallycan also be varied such as by changing current density, cathodepressure, temperature, etc. The feed means by which the workpiece hasbeen moved through the apparatus has not been shown, but it may besimilar to that shown in FIG. 1.

The motor =176 drives a sprocket gear 179 shown in FIG. 15 whichsprocket gear is mounted on shaft 177. The chain 180 in turn drivesanother sprocket gear 181 which is mounted on the extension of shaft 184on which the drum 174 is mounted.

Shaft 184 is suitably supported by a shaft block 182 which is affixed tothe walls of the tank 171. A squeeze roller 186 again performs thefunction to introduce an appropriate amount of electrolyte to the worksite and it is adjusted by bolt 187 positioning squeeze roller shaft `7186 in a support block 189 and locking it with a lock pin 190 which pinsecures the block 189 in a proper position. The squeeze roller iscovered with an elastomeric material.

The bottom roller 191 is for the purpose of insuring a lsupply of freshelectrolyte as well as some agitation whereby a constant compositionelectrolyte solution is supplied by belt 206 to the plating site. Roller191 is mounted on a shaft 192 which shaft is positioned by means ofblocks 194 and adjusted by bolts 195.

Referring to the cathode section, it is shown as 172 in FIG. and it is aT-shaped bar. The cathode section 172 is also shown in cross-section inFIG. 16. The T-shaped bar carries on the underside thereof, conduit 201or if the workpiece may be sufiiciently conductive, it may be madecathodic merely by a suitable connection such as a rotating wheel (notshown).

An appropriate pressure exerted by the cathode bar 172 on the workpiece10 and thus the anode 202 may be achieved ,by adjusting bar 172 by meansof bolts 175.

The plating site or section is shown in FIG. 16 which illustrates thedrum 174 in partial cross-section, the anode is identified as 202 andthe lead wire thereto as 204. The

belt, which is spirally wound around the drum, is shown As the workpieceis moved and as the drum rotates,

the anode section 202 defines a precise area on a small electricalconnector which area may be progressively plated as the workpiece movesover the drum. Furthermore, if the part is such that it forms merely acontinuous strip, it may similarly be electroplated in the same manneras shown in FIG. 16.

The various means which are used to control the electrolyte such aspumps, heaters and inlet and outlet means, being conventional in the arthave not been shown, except that valve 199 has been shown for theintroduction of the electrolyte in inner tank 196. The inner tank `196may be isolated in a manner such that it merely contains the electrolyteand the appropriately slanted barrier means may be provided within theouter tank '171 so that excess electrolyte 197 returns to the inner tank196. In the event the electrolyte gives olf noxious fumes, a cover (notshown). placed on container 171, may be employed which may have anopening therein for evacuation and subsequent scrubbing of these fumes;these same means may be employed with the other apparatuses.

As shown above, various apparatuses have been illustrated which allowthe plating by means of an electrolyte carrier belt electrical connectorpreforms or blanks at current densities such as from 200 to 500 amps persq. ft. at a workpiece strip speed from 3 to 12 feet per min. Theseworkpieces may be of varying width. Further, various thicknesses ofstock may also be accommodated in the described apparatuses. Accordingto the disclosed invention, an electrodeposit of selected width in theform of a single stripe or multiple superimposed or adjacent stripes maybe deposited on the metal strip and the stripe widths may be varied asdesired such as from 0.05 in. to 0.3 in. The cathode sections may beloaded so that cathode pressures from 10 to 30 lbs. per sq. in. may beachieved at the corresponding anode spring pressures.

As further described in the previously identified application, the beltsof the desired type are generally made of Daeron material and possessthe desired resistance to the plating solutions allowing the plating oflong length of continuous strips at considerable saving in the noblemetal.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for plating a metal on selected areas of a continuousstrip as a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a plating circuit comprising a source of current, an

anode and a cathode;

means for holding an electrolyte;

means for transporting said electrolyte to a `first plating site forcompleting a plating circuit;

means for positioning the cathode in respect to a workpiece;

means for positioning an anode in respect to said cathode and saidworkpiece;

means for feeding said workpiece to a plating site, said means forfeeding said workpiece and said means for transporting said electrolytebeing operatively interconnected for moving substantially incross-direction to each other, said means for feeding including meansfor advancing said workpiece to a next plating site, said next platingsite comprising an anode, a cathode, a source of current, means fortransporting an electrolyte to a plating site from a means for holdingan electrolyte and means for positioning said cathode and anode inrespect to said workpiece at said next plating site.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the means fortransporting said electrolyte includes means for bringing a freshelectrolyte solution to a plurality of plating sites in a crossdirection to a workpiece travel.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the means fortransporting said electrolyte includes means for bringing a freshelectrolyte solution to a plating site above an anode and below acathode in a cross-direction to a direction of travel of said workpiece.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the means forbringing a fresh electrolyte to a plating site is a drum around theperiphery of which is a spiral anode and on top of which anode is anelectrolyte carrier belt.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the means for feedingsaid workpiece include means for intermittently feeding said workpiece.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 and wherein the means for feedingsaid workpiece include means for intermittently feeding said workpiece,said means intermittently feeding being operatively interconnected withmeans for engaging and disengaging said workpiece from said means fortransporting said electrolyte to said plating sites whereby theworkpiece is fed when said means for transporting said electrolyte isdisengaged.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the means forpositioning said anode in respect to said cathode includes means forcontinually positioning said anode operatively and synchronouslyinterconnected with means for feeding said workpiece to a plating site.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 and wherein the means for feedingsaid workpiece to a plating site include means for continually advancingsaid workpiece to a next plating site operatively interconnected to saidmeans for continually positioning said anode.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 and wherein the means for feedinginclude means for taking up a plated workpiece.

10. An apparatus for plating a continuous strip as a workpiece with ametal, said apparatus comprising:

(1) a plating site defined by an anode, a cathode, a source ofelectrical current; means for transporting an electrolyte from areceptacle containing said electrolyte spaced apart from the workpiece,said means including means for carrying said electrolyte to a platingsite in carrier belt, means for controlling the amount of electrolytecarried by said carrier belt, means for adjusting a rate at which saidcarrier belt travels, means for feeding a workpiece between said cathodeand anode including means for supporting said cathode and said carrierbelt, means for supporting said anode including means for positioningthe same in respect to said workpiece and means for guiding said carrierbelt; and, means for completing said electrical circuit; means foradjusting pressure between said carrier -belt and said workpiece; meansfor removing residues from said workpiece after said plating, andwherein said means for feeding said workpiece and said carrier belt inrespect to each other is in cross-direction; and

(2) means for taking up a plated workpiece.

11. The apparatus as dened in claim 10 and wherein a plurality of thedefined plating sites are in a machine direction of said workpiece.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 and wherein means for removalof residues from a plated workpiece are operatively interconnected withmeans for feeding said workpiece.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 and wherein means forpositioning said anode comprise a shaft means, an anode head holding aplurality of anode segments, means for indexing said anode headincluding means to adjust the width of each anode segment, means forrigidly engaging said anode head in respect to an anode segment, meansfor completing said electrical circuit via said anode head to said anodesegment and means for positioning the anode head in respect to saidworkpiece.

14. The apparatus as dened in claim 10 and wherein 10 the cathodecomprises a cathode shoe, means for conlining a workpiece within saidcathode shoe, means for adjusting the means for confining the workpiece,and means for positioning the cathode shoe upwardly and downwardlywhereby adjustments in pressure on the anode head is obtained.

1 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 and wherein an electrolytetank has immersed therein a roller around which said electrolyte belt istrained.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10 and wherein an electrolyte tankis associated with each plating site.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,591,042 4/1952 Berman et al204-206 JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner W. I. SOLOMON, Assistant Examiner

